Asian Games Roster
South Korea Finalizes 11-Player Basketball Roster for Asian Games Without Star Players
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Key Points
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Park Ji-su is a 193-centimeter center and a four-time Women's Korean Basketball League MVP who has also played in the WNBA, underscoring the significance of her absence.
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South Korea is seeking its first Asian Games women’s basketball gold medal since 2014.
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The team’s preparation included an exhibition match against Japan in August and participation in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Germany in September.
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The finalized 11-player squad includes players from eight South Korean clubs, including Huh Yea-eun of Cheongju KB, Ahn Hye-ji, Lee So-hee and Choi Yi-saem of Busan BNK, and Kang Yi-seul of Asan Woori Bank.
South Korea will compete at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games women's basketball tournament with 11 players after ruling out two key contributors. Center Park Ji-su remains sidelined by an ankle injury, while guard Park Ji-hyun will miss the event due to her WNBA commitments with the Los Angeles Sparks. Coach Park Soo-ho said the squad will lean on chemistry built during summer training.
Losing a Four-Time MVP Center
Park Ji-su's absence represents a major blow. The 193-centimeter center is a four-time Women's Korean Basketball League MVP and former WNBA player. Kyodo News reported her ankle injury is still healing. South Korea will replace neither player, forcing depth at the position to carry the load.
First Gold Medal Since 2014
South Korea is hunting its first Asian Games women's basketball gold medal since 2014. The squad completed preparation through exhibition matches and international competition. The team faced Japan in an August exhibition and competed in the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Germany in September, Kyodo News reported.
Group C Begins Against Malaysia
South Korea opens Group C play on September 18 against Malaysia. Games against Mongolia and Taiwan follow. The top two teams per group plus the two best third-place finishers advance to the quarterfinals. The 11-player roster draws from eight South Korean clubs, including Huh Yea-eun of Cheongju KB and three players from Busan BNK: Ahn Hye-ji, Lee So-hee, and Choi Yi-saem.
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